What Threat Does Remaining SEC Schedule Pose for Van Horn's Razorbacks?

As Arkansas fights for position to host a regional at Baum-Walker, four SEC teams stand in their way

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Apr 19, 2023 11:31 AM EDT
Original:
Apr 18, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After a midweek game against a highly dangerous Central Arkansas team tonight, the No. 5 Razorbacks enter the final stretch of the regular season.

We break down the final four SEC series for the Hogs as Dave Van Horn's squad looks to keep rolling forward despite all the injuries and lock up home field advantage in the NCAA regionals and possibly super regionals.

Georgia
(19-17, 4-11)

Reason to be concerned:

The Bulldogs took 2-of-3 from No. 12 Kentucky, winning 3-0 and 6-2 last week. That accounts for half their wins. They also came a run away from taking a series from Florida last weekend. If Georgia somehow beats Clemson today, then it will be clear that the Bulldogs have found something and are a team that should really cause concern this weekend despite the overall record.

Most dangerous hitter:

Charlie Condon (.450 BA, 16 HR, 52 RBI, .899 SLG, .541 OB)

Most dangerous pitcher:

Technically it's Kyle Greenler. However, he's a one inning guy who pitches mostly against mid-week opponents. As far as pitchers Arkansas will see, Liam Sullivan will pose the most trouble. He only has a 4.16 ERA and barely makes it through four innings per start, but he really found his groove against Kentucky. Sullivan went 7 innings, giving up four hits and no runs.

Mississippi State
(22-15, 5-10)

Reason to be concerned:

Overall, it's hard to be concerned about Mississippi State on paper. Top level SEC teams have made easy work of the Bulldogs. However, they're still Mississippi State. They're still looking to sneak into the tournament and make a run like Ole Miss did last season.

Speaking of Ole Miss, the Bulldogs were a run away from sweeping the Rebels last seek. They've got a sweepable Auburn team, a game with Ole Miss and a series with a Tennessee team that will be so battered by then the Volunteers may not even want to get out on the field before Mississippi State hosts Arkansas on Mother's Day weekend.

The Bulldogs could be rolling when these two meet and fighting for a chance to host a regional. A Mississippi State team with something to play for can be dangerous.

Most dangerous hitter:

Hunter Hines (.336 BA, 17 HR, 47 RBI, .755 SLG, .398 OB)

Most dangerous pitcher:

Nate Dohm has been used similar to Gage Wood in that he is all over the place. Sometimes he gets starter innings, he pops in to chew up and inning here or there, and every now and then he's in for the save. In addition to a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP, Dohm averages over a strikeout per inning.

No. 6 South Carolina
(30-6, 10-4)

Reason to be concerned:

The Gamecocks have the same number of conference losses and a full win in the overall win column over Arkansas. Until No. 4 Vanderbilt took the last two games of the series last weekend in Nashville, South Carolina was 6-1 against ranked teams, including a 5-0 shutout of No. 13 North Carolina in a midweek game.

The Gamecocks are also 5-2 in games decided by two runs or less, with those two losses coming to Vanderbilt and No. 1 LSU. In fact, the Gamecocks are a 1-run game away from sweeping the Tigers.

Fear the three-headed monster addressed below.

The one ray of hope for Arkansas is that South Carolina is 6-5 in road games against teams not named South Carolina Upstate or The Citadel.

Most dangerous hitter:

Ethan Petry (.438 BA, 18 HR, 56 RBI, .906 SLG, .497 OB)

Most dangerous pitcher:

Herein lies the problem with facing South Carolina. This might be the most dangerous overall pitching staff in the SEC considering all the injuries at Arkansas.

The three-headed monster starts with Jack Mahoney. He enters this week with a 3.22 ERA, strikes out a hitter each inning while only giving up one hit per inning and only walks a batter every fourth inning pitched. In 44^2/3 innings, he's only given up 14 extra base hits, which includes zero triples. It should also be noted that Mahoney's stats barely changed once he hit SEC play.

Next up is Noah Hall. His ERA is just a shade below Mahoney at 3.29. He too will get over a strikeout per inning, gives up less than a hit per inning and only walks a batter every fifth inning. As for extra base hits, he's only given up a dozen in over 41 innings of pitching. The one positive for Arkansas is that his ERA is a full run higher in SEC play.

Last is James Hicks, who is 3-0 in SEC play. He's basically the same song, third verse. Hicks is a perfect 6-0 on the season with a 2.27 ERA. Hicks gives up well below a hit per inning and only gives up a walk every fourth inning on the mound. He's only given up eight extra base hits in 35^2/3 innings of work. Much like the other two, he hasn't given up a triple all year. His ERA as a whole goes up a little in SEC play, but the strikeouts and hits are pretty consistent.

No. 4 Vanderbilt
(29-7, 13-2)

Reason to be concerned:

Vanderbilt is 9-3 in games against six teams that were ranked at the time they met. They also lead the SEC overall by a full two games. The upside for Arkansas is only No. 6 South Carolina and No. 24 Oklahoma State are still ranked and the Texas team the Commodores beat in Arlington are now No. 14. Playing on the road, home or on a neutral field doesn't seem to matter. Vanderbilt is consistent everywhere.

Most dangerous hitter:

RJ Schreck (.354 BA, 9 HR, 42 RBI, .693 SLG, .491 OB)

Here's the thing with Vanderbilt, they don't have a dominant hitter, but they have a line-up full of really good hitters.

Most dangerous pitcher:

Devin Futrell has pitched against a Who's Who of college baseball this season and has dominated everyone with his 2.35 ERA. He only gives up a run roughly every two innings, often pitches into the 8th inning and will always make it through at least five innings if he starts. Ironically, his only loss came in his only non-high profile game against Loyola Marymount. He threw a 2-hitter that day.

Futrell has only given up two runs in his last three outings that covered 20^2/3 innings.